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Design work on Northland training center advances

The Northland Corridor economic development project moved a few steps forward Tuesday.

The Buffalo Urban Development Corp. board of directors approved four redevelopment design service orders involving the light-industrial economic development hub. The orders total $292,930. The total estimated cost for design services for the renovation of 683 Northland Ave. and the construction of the Workforce Training Center is estimated at $2.5 to $3 million.

It approved:

• $65,610 for a structural survey outside the training center, including interior and exterior field measurements

• $55,560 to identify, describe and evaluate the site’s historic context, in order to apply for historic preservation certification

• $121,015 for campus master planning and storm water management planning, including land planning, campus design, campus storm water management and green infrastructure planning, as well as coordination with the city’s street design team.

• $50,745 for sustainability planning, including a plan to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design status.

The work is being completed by Watts Architecture & Engineering.

The Northern Avenue redevelopment project is a $38 million part of the state’s Buffalo Billion initiative. It will convert a crumbling industrial complex into a hub for economic activity on the East Side. The workforce development training center at 683 Northland Ave. will anchor the campus. It will be used to train local residents for advanced manufacturing and electric utility job opportunities.